Kawasaki Reports Q3 2013-2014 Sales Results

Kawasaki reported the fourth-consecutive profitable quarter from its Motorcycle & Engine business, with an operating income of 1.5 billion yen (US$14.6 million) for the three months ended Dec. 31, 2013. Through the first three quarters of its 2013-2014 fiscal year, Kawasaki’s Motorcycle & Engine division earned a operating income of 4.0 billion yen (US$38.9 million), compared to a loss of 2.0 billion yen over the same period in the year before.

The Motorcycle & Engine division, which also includes ATVs, UTVs, personal watercraft and general-purpose gasoline engines, produced 213.5 billion yen in net sales over the first three quarters, up 34.1% from the 158.8 billion yen reported the previous year. Kawasaki credits the turnaround to increased sales in the U.S. as well as in emerging markets such as Thailand and Indonesia.

North American sales increased to 80,000 units over three quarters, with motorcycles accounting for 47,000 units. By comparison, Kawasaki reported sales of 73,000 units in North America over the same period last year, including 46,000 motorcycles. Consumers in emerging markets scooped up 282,000 units, up from 257,000 units the year previous. Overall, the division reported sales of 403,000 units for the nine-month period, up 8.9% from 370,000 units.

Kawasaki also saw an increase in unit sales in Japan, selling 14,000 units from 10,000 units. The news was less positive in Europe however, as sales dipped to 27,000 from 30,000.

Of course, the Motorcycle & Engine division represents just a small part of Kawasaki Heavy Industries. The company as a whole reported net sales of 920.8 billion yen (US$8.96 billion) for the nine months ended Dec. 31, 2013, up from 885.9 billion yen. Total net income rose to 23.3 billion yen from 19.3 billion yen.